A young adult using a smartphone for chronic health management with digital networks in the background.

Decoding mHealth: How Tech Can Transform Young Adult Chronic Disease Management

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the potential of mobile health technologies for young adults battling chronic conditions and what it means for accessibility and care."

In today's digital age, technology offers unprecedented opportunities to revolutionize healthcare, especially for young adults grappling with chronic diseases. Mobile health, or mHealth, is emerging as a game-changer, providing accessible, free, and reliable resources right at their fingertips. But how are these technologies truly impacting the lives of young people, and what are the key factors influencing their adoption?

A systematic review sought to answer these critical questions by examining the experiences of both end-users (young adults aged 15-24) and implementers (healthcare providers, clinicians, and policymakers). The goal was to understand how mHealth technologies can effectively support the management of noncommunicable chronic conditions, including persistent musculoskeletal pain—a significant and often overlooked health challenge in this age group.

The review delved into qualitative studies, aiming to synthesize a comprehensive understanding of the benefits, challenges, and overall impact of mHealth interventions. By exploring these insights, we can pave the way for more effective and user-centered digital health solutions that truly meet the needs of young adults.

The Untapped Potential of Digital Health for Young Adults

A young adult using a smartphone for chronic health management with digital networks in the background.

Young people are increasingly using digital technologies, positioning these tools as a unique opportunity to spread reliable information and resources in a sustainable way. This approach is particularly relevant in high-, middle-, and low-income economies, as it can help reduce disparities in healthcare access and ensure everyone has access to vital health management tools.

Think about it: digital technologies can provide integrated, comprehensive information on managing chronic non-communicable diseases, including musculoskeletal pain and mental health conditions. For digital natives, the portability and capabilities of mobile devices enable connections with health systems, which supports chronic disease management.

Accessibility: Digital health technologies make healthcare resources more accessible, especially for those in remote or underserved areas.
Engagement: Young people are more likely to engage with health interventions delivered through digital platforms.
Sustainability: Digital solutions offer a sustainable way to deliver ongoing support and information.

While internet usage is near 100% for Millennials in many major economies, and smartphone ownership is high, translating this into effective health support requires understanding user experiences and preferences. A critical issue is the lack of skilled health professionals who understand pain from a modern, neurobiological perspective rather than an outdated biomedical view. This gap can be addressed by leveraging digital technologies to deliver education and support.

Moving Forward: User-Centered Design and Implementation

The success of mHealth interventions hinges on understanding and integrating user experiences. By centering designs around the needs and preferences of young adults and implementers, we can enhance feasibility, acceptability, and usability. This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach is essential for translating digital health innovation into real-world improvements in chronic disease management.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.11124/jbisrir-2016-003299, Alternate LINK

Title: End User And Implementer Experiences Of Mhealth Technologies For Noncommunicable Chronic Disease Management In Young Adults: A Qualitative Systematic Review Protocol

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports

Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Authors: Helen Slater, Andrew Briggs, Jennifer Stinson, Jared M. Campbell

Published: 2017-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is mHealth, and how does it help young adults manage chronic diseases?

mHealth technologies revolutionize chronic disease management for young adults aged 15-24 by offering accessible, free, and reliable resources. These technologies allow for improved health outcomes by providing digital platforms for healthcare interventions, which is especially beneficial for individuals in remote or underserved areas. It can also help reduce disparities in healthcare access and ensure everyone has access to vital health management tools.

What are the main objectives of using mHealth technologies?

The goal of using mHealth is to effectively support the management of noncommunicable chronic conditions. These include conditions such as persistent musculoskeletal pain. The adoption of digital tools is intended to improve health outcomes and provide digital health solutions that meet the needs of young adults. Focusing on their experiences, benefits, and barriers to adopting these digital tools for improved health outcomes.

Why is user-centered design important in the implementation of mHealth interventions?

User-centered design and implementation is the key to a successful mHealth intervention. Focusing on the needs and preferences of young adults and implementers, will enhance feasibility, acceptability, and usability. This approach will translate digital health innovation into real-world improvements in chronic disease management, which is vital for improving health outcomes for young adults. A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach is essential.

Why is mHealth significant for young adults, and what benefits does it offer?

mHealth is important because it offers a sustainable way to deliver ongoing support and information to young adults. mHealth provides integrated, comprehensive information on managing chronic non-communicable diseases and can provide connections with health systems. Digital health technologies make healthcare resources more accessible, especially for those in remote or underserved areas, improving accessibility and engagement with healthcare interventions.

What are the challenges in implementing mHealth, and how can these be addressed?

A critical issue is the lack of skilled health professionals who understand pain from a modern, neurobiological perspective, not an outdated biomedical view. This gap can be addressed by leveraging digital technologies to deliver education and support. Digital technologies can provide integrated, comprehensive information on managing chronic non-communicable diseases, including musculoskeletal pain and mental health conditions.